The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has upheld the revocation of the mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited following the submission of the final report of an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with reviewing the company’s petition against the initial decision.
The Minister’s determination concludes the review process initiated after he, acting on the recommendation of the Minerals Commission, revoked Adamus Resources Limited’s Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases in April 2026.
The initial revocation followed a series of inspections by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, which uncovered what it described as sustained and material breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and its subsidiary legislation.
According to the Minerals Commission, its investigations established multiple violations by Adamus Resources, including the unauthorised assignment of mineral rights.
The company was found to have subleased portions of its concessions to foreign nationals for independent mining operations without the prior written approval of the Minister, contrary to Section 14(1) of Act 703.
The Commission also found that mining activities had been conducted outside demarcated and permitted areas without an approved Operating Permit from the Chief Inspector of Mines, in contravention of Regulations 200(1)(b) and 200(1)(d) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176).
In addition, the Commission established that Adamus had failed to obtain the requisite environmental and forestry approvals from the Environmental Protection Authority before operations commenced in the assigned areas, contrary to Section 18 of Act 703.
The review committee further found that Adamus failed to cooperate with the Interim Management Committee (IMC) established to oversee the mine, alleging that the company concealed information and provided misleading data.
The committee also identified additional financial and regulatory defaults, including US$2.56 million in unpaid mineral rights fees, GH¢86.8 million in unpaid royalties and GH¢290.5 million in tax arrears.
It further reported unexplained variances in gold exports and found that the company had transferred US$224 million to related parties abroad between 2020 and 2024.
The committee also noted that environmental bonds associated with the mining operations remained only partially fulfilled.
Following the decision to uphold the revocation, the Minister, accompanied by officials of the Ministry and the Minerals Commission, embarked on a working visit to the mine site to engage key stakeholders, including workers.
During the visit, Mr. Buah assured stakeholders that the Minerals Commission would ensure uninterrupted operations at the mine pending a further decision by the government.
The Minister has also indicated his intention to secure an order requiring Adamus Resources to fully and promptly settle its outstanding royalty, tax and other financial obligations to the Government of Ghana.
Story by Sheila Otuo – Baffour